Sik-K's "Darling" wakes me up. I really need to rethink my alarm. I don't want to hate him due to my morning moodiness.
I lazily pick myself up and go in the bathroom. Looking in the mirror I keep repeating: 'You can do this!'
Even though, I knew myself better, I needed some k-pop in my life to recharge.
I was, supposedly, having the day off today but Mary had to take her child to the doctor, and I owe her for covering yesterday with the whole 'meeting' with Jay then the 'Gary drama', so I said I could go to work, cover her shift.
"Oh, shoot!" Dropped my toothbrush. "I have his number. How could I forget that?!" I rushed out of the bathroom, grabbed my bag, throwing everything on the bed I start searching for that piece of paper like a mad woman.
It's not there. I begin to panic. "No, no, no, oh, God, no!" It was not there.
I end up sitting on the bed with a hand on my chest trying not to have a panic attack. I forgot to text him last night. I was too tired to remember he gave me his number so I ended up going to sleep as soon as I returned from the shower. And just like that I blew my chance with him. I stare deeply at the mess. 'Ok girl, you're being too much this morning.'
I go back inside the bathroom and start getting ready for work. This whole business with Jay is just going to have to wait. 'If fate wants me to meet him, I will meet him.' I reassure myself so I won't lose it, mentally.
Two hours into the shift and I already had two guys accidentally spill coffee on me. Thank goodness I had spare clothes with me. It was an old, black t-shirt of Gary's and some cute, comfortable, pinkish leggings. That will just have to do, for now.
I remembered that the new guy was supposed to come today. 'I can't do this alone.' I think and get my phone to call Nancy. She's not answering.
"Just freaking awesome." I call Mary hoping she'll get here soon. Afterall, I only agreed to be here for half a day.
"Hello? Mary, hi. How's it going? What did the doctor say?" I ask hoping it's not something bad and her boy is alright.
The morning rush is over so, while I changed, I closed the cafe for about 30 minutes. I needed a break.
"Hi...it's complicated. James...my baby...they say that he might have appendicitis. I'm at the hospital right now. I'm a bit scared. I don't think I can make it there today."
She sounded like she was crying. A feeling of sadness overpowered me.
I wanted to burst out in tears, also. I took a deep breath and said: "Don't worry, don't worry. I can manage the cafe. You stay there with your baby. You stay there. It's a routine surgery for them, I'm sure. Believe he is in good hands." I pause a little. "I need to open the cafe again. I'll call you later for an update!" I said as I let a couple of tears loose on my cheeks.
"Alright then, thank you so much. I hope things will be ok. You're a good friend, Jane." I smile. "You too Mary, now go be with your child. Be strong Mary. Take care!" As I close the call, I sight. Life can be so unforgiving on a single mother and here I am complaining about spilled coffee.
My stomach hurts, suddenly. I forgot I did not have breakfast. Gary used to make me sandwiches in the morning but with him gone I sometimes forget to eat. I know it's only been a week but this breakup hit me hard. I grab a butter croissant and shove it in my mouth while I unlock the door.
The new employee, Matthew, arrives. "Oh, hello there." I put on a wide smile when I see him. He is pretty tall, sort of buff. I was there at his interview so I know he likes hitting the gym often. He seems like he loves outdoor activities, which is the opposite of me. I wouldn't date him but I have to admit I adore his blue eyes. The girls that come here will go mad for sure. He has a certain sex appeal. I giggle at that tought.
"What? Did I say something funny?" Asks Matt. I wasn't even listening to what he was mumbling. I put on a straight face. "No, just myself being the usual. You'll get used to it." He just nods and goes to put on his apron.
"Hey Jane, saw your call. Sorry." That was Nancy, entering the cafe, with a lot of bags. She went shopping. I learned in the past two months that when she feels down, she does a lot of shopping. Happened twice before. "It's cool. Matt's here. Help me please?" I tell her to pass on a coffee for a client at a table.
The rest of the day goes by without any more incidents. We were super busy but I was glad and impressed by how well Matthew did on his first day.
It was late, Nancy already went home and I thank Matthew for his work and let him go home too. Meanwhile I looked for that piece of paper in the locker thinking maybe I lost it there. No luck.
I was washing some cups, lost in my thoughts, when I heard the door open. I look up, surprised because I thought I locked it and see the face of someone I was not expecting. My heart is going crazy. I was blushing.
"Hi!" I say giggling. "Hi!" He said pulling up a pink rose from behind.
I'm internally screaming. Happy that the dim lights won't show my red face I leave the cups in the sink and run towards him. I jump-hug him and say: "I'm so sorry, I lost your number. I don't know how but I did. I'm sorry." I look in his eyes while leaving his embrace looking for forgiveness.
A sudden thought crosses my mind. 'Why does he affect me so much?' I felt a lot of emotional instability lately and this stranger is giving me new feelings that I am just not accustomed to. But, in all honesty, I love it.
'Thank you, fate, for letting me meet this gorgeous man once more.'
He pats my head with one hand and smiles. "I thought something like that had happened. There's no need to say sorry. I'm here now." He hands me the rose, looks me in the eyes and asks: "Would you do me the honour of going on a date with me, tonight?"
It was almost 10 PM, the city was still blooming with noisy people on the streets and traffic lights. I usually close after midnight but since we lack employees, Nancy decided to give us a little bit of freedom to shorten the long hours we work.
"Yes, of course. Give me a minute to finish what I was doing and we can go." I say almost breathless. ''
I look up and internally thank whatever god there is for this chance. I grab his hand and guide him towards a chair. "I'm happy to see you tonight." I say and get back to work.